The Tri-State Innovation Working Group (IWG) focusing on “The effects of climate change on ecosystems and societies: A Focus on Native American and Hispanic communities” convened on October 19-21, 2009 at Hyatt Regency Tamaya in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The workshop was co-hosted by the Desert Research Institute (DRI), the University of Idaho (UI), and the University of New Mexico (UNM) and was funded by the National Science Foundation Western Tri-State Consortium Innovation Working Group Program (Appendix A). The purpose of this Innovation Working Group (IWG) was to develop research ideas that will couple the effects of climate change on ecosystems and societies while focusing on potential impacts to Native American and Hispanic communities. The objective of the IWG was to host a workshop where hydrologists, ecologists, and social scientists convene to (1) invite stakeholders and experts to offer their perspectives and concerns on potential impacts, and how potential impacts and mitigation can be incorporated into long-term planning related to climate change; (2) discuss how climate and hydrological models can be improved to identify and mitigate risks to these vulnerable populations; and (3) jointly write a cross-cutting proposal to NSF that takes a holistic approach to addressing complex interactions of socio-political and biophysical systems affected by climate change. To facilitate open discussion and brainstorming, the first day was open to stakeholders and experts representing Native American tribes and Hispanic acequias. Eleven stakeholders and experts representing 4 tribes (Nez Perce, Navajo, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Zia Pueblo); acequias (New Mexico Acequias Association and University of New Mexico acequias researcher) and Indian water rights experts and attorneys (University of Arizona, Aberly Law Firm, JA Affiliates, and Blane Sanchez). Three students attended including one undergraduate from Dine College (a Navajo tribal college located in Shiprock, New Mexico), and two PhD students from University of Nevada Reno and University of New Mexico. Six principal investigators from Desert Reseach Institute (3) and University of New Mexico (3) attended the IWG workshop. In total, there were 20 participants and 1 facilitator who attended the IWG workshop.